A season of ups and downs – Aribo revels in world-beating fitness achievement

From the Scottish league to the cup to the AFCON qualifiers, World Cup qualifiers and AFCON proper, the Rangers midfielder has proven he’s the ultimate machine

Seventy – those are the number of times Joe Aribo has dressed to play football this season alone, and is the only player in the world to have managed such a huge number.

Aribo was instrumental in Rangers’ run to the Europa League final and scored a memorable final goal.

Despite the disappointments of missing out on the league title and Nigeria’s shocking elimination at the AFCON, Aribo helped Rangers to their first Scottish Cup triumph in 13 years.

The midfielder doesn’t take his achievement for granted as he posted on Twitter on Tuesday, a day after staying on the bench through Nigeria’s 10-0 demolition of Sao Tomé and Principe.

“Grateful to have played 70 games this season, I just wanna thank God for getting me through it. A season full of ups and downs but unforgettable memories were created. Can’t wait to get going next season thank you to all the fans for your continued support, ” he tweeted.

Only Liverpool’s trio of Colombian forward Luis Diaz (69), Senegal’s star Sadio Mane (67), and Egyptian icon Mohamed Salah (66), as well as Guatemala’s attacking midfielder Óscar Santis (68), and Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel (67) come close to Aribo in the number of games played all season.